Vast open spaces, huge „plasticine” like sandstone walls, red dunes…Visit to Wadi Rum is like journey to another planet. In fact, its Arabic name translates as: valley of the moon. Landscape here is so special, it was chosen as a background for Hollywood hits such as Ridley Scott’s „The Martian” (with M.Damon),  “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”  or “Lawrence of Arabia”- praised as one of the best adventure films ever. In 2011 Wadi Rum was designated as UNESCO World Heritage site for its natural and cultural significance.

When you sit on the top of the mountain, quietly watching sunset here, it is easy to forget this timeless, pristine landscape has been inhabited by many cultures since prehistoric times. There are over 30 documented archealogical sites holding spectacular treasures from as early as 4000 years ago.

There are ancient inscriptions and petroglyphs, steps carved by nabatean hunters, there is even ancient Beduin map made hundreds years ago as a signpost for thirsty camel caravans.

Now, it is 500m high mountain walls and labirynths of canyons made Wadi Rum one of the top adventure destinations among hikers and climbers. During our tour we’ll sample some of the best mountain trails on the planet, visit rock arches, sleep under the stars, meet proud and friendly Beduins.

Vast scenery of Wadi Rum  desert, its  fairy-tale mountains and canyons are main destination of our tour. However we will also visit other Jordanian gems – ancient city of Petra and Dead Sea. Get ready for fairy-tale adventure !

• Unique journey through the most spectacular canyons and rock arches of Wadi Rum. In style inaccesible for regular tourist.  With rope abseils and secret passages.
• Visiting Mars-like scenery portrayed in spectacular films such as “The Martian” or   “Lawrence of Arabia”, including Red Dunes.
• Desert camps.  Admiring sunsets and stars in pristine locations.
• Authentic meeting  with Beduins – our hosts and guides in the desert. We cooperate with respected Al-Zalabieh clan. We will stay in their desert campments witnessing Beduin lifestyle.
• Delicious traditional food (with Western supplements), examples of original Bedu kitchen.
• Ride the camels and catch the wind on Beduin pick up jeeps.
• Relax in luxury desert camp with tent alleys called Mars and Jupiter.
• Ancient rock inscriptions.
• Petra – ancient city carved in red stone. Incredible facades and temples. Jordan’s main attraction and treasure. Filmed for „Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”.

•  Petra – A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. We focus on best places, with special dinner and evening among the monuments.

OPTIONAL

• Guided traverse of Jebel Rum massif  (second highest peak in Jordan), with bivouac under the stars. Exposed trails. Multiple abseils.  GREAT ADVENTURE. (Technically easy , with guides)   Depending on your fitness and duration of tour.
• Dead Sea –  It was one of the world’s first health resorts.   Its surface and shores are 430.5 metres (1,412 ft) below sea level, Earth’s lowest elevation on land. Because of its salinity you don’t need to swim in it, you just float. Chance to admire huge  crystals of salt hanging on the banks of the lake. (depending on tour duration)
• Amman-capital city. (depending on arrival airport location)
• Hot air baloon flight. Sunrise over the desert. 
• For climbers: guided multipitch climbing.

Tour characteristics:

Adventure tour. Desert and mountains of Wadi Rum are main attractions of the trip. We will show you greatest highlights of Jordan. Our adventure however is a mix of effort and relax. With some rock scrambling, exposed trails, camel riding (easy), rope abseiling.  You can expect to be tired sometimes, but in the same time we provide great, sometimes luxury campments and hotels.

Hotels:

During our  tour we will stay mostly at Beduin desert camps (great traditional + western food/beverages, running water available), luxury desert camp (hot showers,  delicious buffet food). We plan at least 1-2 wild bivies under the stars (in your own sleeping bag). In Petra area we stay in comfy relaxing hotel.

Difficulty:

Moderate. Technically easy, but occassionally demanding longer activity.  With some exposed passages secured with rope by guides.    You don’t need to be a climber to participate.

Skills:

Basic rope abseiling skills needed. We organize abseiling excercises after arrival to Wadi Rum (and in the gyms before the trip). Be sure all ropes will be secured by your guide. You will be supervised during abseiling at all times.

• Comfy walking shoes or approach shoes (no need for sturdy trekking boots), Solid (not slippery) sole to keep you stable. Rock is abrasive here, bring light but solid shoes.
• General clothing guideline is: be ready for the sun but expect cold breeze in the evening. Which means you should pack some warmer clothes (including light down jacket) for cold evenings, but you will wear light cotton, long sleeve clothes most of the day.
•  Rain jacket (paclite or any light jacket).
• Light sleeping bag – preferably down, best: comfort around 5 deg C.
• Bivy matt  (like Therm-a-rest, or other lightweight matt for sleeping),
• Headlamp

• UV sunscreen.
• Moisturazing lipstick. It is dry here.
• Sunglasses.
• Hat – to cover from the sun
• 2 liofilizate food packages for 1 dinner, 1 breakfast. You need it for  under-the-stars bivy in the mountains.
• Climbing harness. Light as possible. Be sure it fits you. If you don’t own one, please borrow. You can ask us.
• For climbers: climbing shoes, helmet, chalk bag.